The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today prompt us to contemplate events in our lives when the Good Shepherd may have been addressing us by name through the action of the Spirit.
Hearing Our Name
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles is the preaching of Peter to the first converts.
* [2:38] Repent and be baptized: repentance is a positive concept, a change of mind and heart toward God reflected in the actual goodness of one’s life. It is in accord with the apostolic teaching derived from Jesus (Acts 2:42) and ultimately recorded in the four gospels. Luke presents baptism in Acts as the expected response to the apostolic preaching about Jesus and associates it with the conferring of the Spirit (Acts 1:5; 10:44–48; 11:16).1
Psalm 33 praises the Greatness and Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22).2
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene.
* [20:17] Stop holding on to me: see Mt 28:9, where the women take hold of his feet. I have not yet ascended: for John and many of the New Testament writers, the ascension in the theological sense of going to the Father to be glorified took place with the resurrection as one action. This scene in John dramatizes such an understanding, for by Easter night Jesus is glorified and can give the Spirit. Therefore his ascension takes place immediately after he has talked to Mary. In such a view, the ascension after forty days described in Acts 1:1–11 would be simply a termination of earthly appearances or, perhaps better, an introduction to the conferral of the Spirit upon the early church, modeled on Elisha’s being able to have a (double) share in the spirit of Elijah if he saw him being taken up (same verb as ascending) into heaven (2 Kgs 2:9–12). To my Father and your Father, to my God and your God: this echoes Ru 1:16: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” The Father of Jesus will now become the Father of the disciples because, once ascended, Jesus can give them the Spirit that comes from the Father and they can be reborn as God’s children (Jn 3:5). That is why he calls them my brothers.3
Mike Cherney notes that the Gospel describes Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus.
When I read today’s Gospel, I find myself focused on Mary Magdalene’s inability to recognize the risen Jesus. I can try to imagine Mary’s thoughts. I can try to guess Mary’s expectations when she goes to the tomb. I know what I would rationally anticipate in this situation. From my own experience I know how preconceptions can affect what I initially see. Often it is only with insight (grace?) that I see what the picture truly holds. I can try to relate this to my own life. My wife and I are in the process of entering a new chapter in our lives. We consider our expectations related to where this next step will take us. We try to rationally weigh the alternatives, but our discernment requires more than that. Dear Lord,
I would like a clear path, but I know that You work in subtle ways.
Do not allow preconceptions to impede my journey.
Grant me grit and resolve in my mission.
Allow me openness in receiving Your grace.
Share with me the strength of Your Spirit.4
Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Because there are these two periods of time - the one that now is, beset with the trials and troubles of this life, and the other yet to come, a life of everlasting serenity and joy - we are given two liturgical seasons, one before Easter and the other after. The season before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live here and now, while the time after Easter which we are celebrating at present signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. What we commemorate before Easter is what we experience in this life; what we celebrate after Easter points to something we do not yet possess. This is why we keep the first season with fasting and prayer; but now the fast is over and we devote the present season to praise. Such is the meaning of the Alleluia we sing." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148, 1-2)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 20:11-18 notes that John shared Mary’s encounter with the risen Jesus to encourage the first Christians to believe (John 20:31). He wanted them to trust that the same Jesus who sought out the lost and despairing disciples would seek after them as well. Jesus would call them by name, just as he did with Mary, Thomas, and Peter (John 20:16; 20:29; 21:15). And now, two thousand years later, the Good Shepherd still seeks and saves the lost.
Jesus calls each of us by name. And he asks, Whom are you looking for? What are you struggling to find? Why are you weeping? Our Good Shepherd wants to speak to our hearts, personally, with a familiar voice so that we can recognize him. He says, I am here with you. This is the wonder of Easter. On our own, we can’t find Jesus. But he can find us. Our shepherd knows his sheep; he knows you. Your name is on his lips. At the sound of his voice, you can know the joy of being found. “Jesus, my Shepherd, help me hear you call my name. Speak, Lord; I am listening.”6
Friar Jude Winkler connects Jesus as Lord and Christ to Adonai and anointed one. There are three passages in Scripture where Jesus' resurrected body is not recognized by His followers. Friar Jude explains Mary Magdalene being known as the “Apostle to the Apostles.”
The reflection of Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM was not available at the time of publication today. The encounter of Mary Magdalene with Jesus encourages us to listen for our name as the Spirit calls us to awareness of Jesus Presence in our lives.
References
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